We’ve all missed the feeling of the sun on our skin and the sand between our toes. The good news is that beach season is just a hop, skip and jump away.
As we get ready to peel off those layers and slip into sandals and sundresses, however, it’s important to remain aware of the dangers posed by sun exposure.
The beautiful bridge between spring and summer, May has been designated as Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It’s in all of our best interests to take these next few weeks to learn more about this serious condition and familiarize ourselves with the precautions we should be taking to decrease our vulnerability:
Lather up
This one’s a no-brainer, but it needs to be said. Layer on the sunscreen about a half hour before stepping outside and make sure to reapply at least once every two hours. Don’t forget those tricky spots, like the ears, toes and eyelids. Our skin is most shielded when we use a sunscreen with an SPF of 45 or higher, but it is important to remember that no cream offers 100% protection from the sun, and so it is vital to take other preventative measures as well.
Shade up
Although many of us enjoy sprawling out in the sun, direct exposure should be minimal, especially during peak hours (usually between 10 AM and 4 PM for those living in North America). Luckily, many beaches provide umbrellas so that we can enjoy the day without endangering our skin. There are also affordable products like beach canopies and pop-up tents that can be easily assembled and accommodate the whole family.
Cover up
While umbrellas and tents are effective protection for the hours spent on the sand, there’s little they can do for you when you’re ready to take a dip or toss a Frisbee. Your safest bet is to minimize the amount of skin you expose to the sun and what’s great is you don’t have to give up on style to do it. Hydrochic’s swimwear offers more coverage than standard bathing attire and each piece is made from fabric that offers UPF 50+ sun protection, providing strong ultraviolet protection. The swimsuits are fun, comfortable and, of course, chic.
Check up
To protect your skin, you’ve got to know your skin. One of the most critical measures you can take when it comes to combatting skin diseases is paying attention to your body and any changes it might reveal. It is always better to err on the side of caution so if you see something – anything – a discoloration, a spot, a sore that isn’t healing, ask a doctor. Skin cancer can be a deadly condition, but it is also one of most treatable cancers if detected early.
It is always easy to ignore a threat if it isn’t immediate, to convince ourselves it won’t happen to us…and hopefully, it won’t. But Skin Cancer Awareness Month intends to shine a light on one of the most common cancers in the United States, plaguing between 40 to 50 percent of Americans, and urge us all to do everything in our power to avoid becoming part of that statistic.
Have fun this summer. Splash, dive, bask in the glorious weather, and do it all worry-free, knowing you’ve taken the few simple steps that could make all the difference to your health.
